Feeling secure is a state of being that most of us would desire. We like to know that our safety is secure, along with our health. We would like a secure job, and to know that our relationships with family and friends is also secure. However, in this world today very little is secure. In many places people don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods. All too frequently jobs aren’t secure. Our health fails and relationships crumble. Where can we find the security that we crave? Our Scripture today gives us a picture of the security we can have if we look in the right place.
This week’s psalm is probably the most favorite one in the Bible, and one of the most familiar passages in all the Bible, as well. Hundreds of full-length sermons could, and probably have been written on this Scripture, so with limited space and time, I am focusing just on the first 2 ½ verses.
Psalm 23 was written by King David. For a number of years before he became king, he was fleeing for his life from King Saul. His life was in danger, and he had to frequently hide out in some very rugged areas. Later as king, there were some times when he had to flee, such as when his son Absalom attempted a coup. These times certainly were not the picture of security. During those years he might have thought back to the days when he watched over his father’s flock of sheep. When the sheep have a good and caring shepherd, they don’t have to worry about food or safety. When he was a shepherd, he made sure that the sheep were in plentiful fields, and he kept them safe from predatory animals. Wouldn’t you want someone to watch over and care for you in life?
As we read our selected verses, we see that David looked for a shepherd to care and provide for him throughout his life. Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, was the Shepherd that David wanted and needed, one who personally guided him. David knew that he would not be in need of anything because of the shepherding care of the Lord. Shepherds look after their sheep in every way.
This is a very personal psalm, as the Lord isn’t just “a shepherd”, or even “our shepherd”, but He is “my shepherd” (vs. 1). This foreshadows the Lord Jesus who calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), as He cares for each of His children individually. Jesus tells how a shepherd not only protects the sheep under his care, but will gladly lay down their life for their safety (John 10:12-16). Just as a shepherd knows his sheep, and the sheep know their shepherd and his voice, so Jesus knows us, His children, and we can know His Voice by studying His Word, the Bible, and through prayer.
When David claimed that with the Lord as his Shepherd, “I shall not want”, that is not a promise of living in luxury, but of having sufficiency for our needs (vs. 1). When the Shepherd leads, the sheep lack nothing essential for God’s will in their lives. It does not mean that we get everything that we want, but it means that the Lord can and will provide everything that we need. Thus, no uncertainty should ever frighten us.
David continued in his psalm by stating that the Good Shepherd will make His sheep to lie down in green pastures (vs. 2). Sheep only lie down when they are free from fear, and from friction with other sheep. Also when they are free from pests, and are well-fed. God gives us rest because He removes what would keep us anxious, hungry, or troubled. His shepherd’s staff has two purposes. First it is used as a weapon of protection against predatory animals. The shepherd goes first, and the sheep safely follow. Second, the crook in the staff is used to gently guide the wandering sheep back to safety. Jesus does the same for us. When we are closely following Him, He keeps us safe from Satan’s attacks, and when we start to go astray, the Holy Spirit will guide us back.
Still waters are places of rest, quietness, and refreshment. We can find that when we get spiritual nourishment through the Bible, God’s Word. We won’t find rest in the world’s entertainment, but our Shepherd will give us true soul-rest.
Finally, as this look at the opening verses of Psalm 23 comes to a close, David told us that Yahweh, our Good Shepherd, restores our soul (vs. 3a). He restores it first and foremost when we come to Him for salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Then He continues to restore it with ongoing spiritual renewal when we are weary, wounded, or prone to wander. He not only forgives us, but He restores us.
When we are desiring security in our life, we need look no further than to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. His care is never lacking, providing for us spiritually and physically. Are you a part of His flock today? If so, we can lay down in His fields, content from all anxiety or worry. If not, turn to Jesus and call upon Him as your Savior. Then you, too, can be one of the sheep in His flock.
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